I Want My Sex Back, A Transgender Movement
I have many friends who are gay and lesbian, but I have none who are transgender or among those contemplating a gender reassignment. I was always interested in knowing what they go through mentally, emotionally, and psychologically so I began to research and in that analysis, I gained a keen insight into their reality. There are countless equal rights and acceptance talks, but very rarely do you hear the dark follow-on stories once a gender reassignment has been performed.
For the sake of understanding as you navigate through this post, I defined what could be misunderstood. Gender identity refers to a personal conception of one’s place within the gender spectrum. The gender that the person identifies with may be the same or different from the sex they were assigned at birth. A transgender, (trans), is parasol term that represents a broad range of gender identities and expressions. Trans people do not identify either fully or partially with the gender associated with their assigned sex at birth (Canadian Federation of Students, 2017).
In a world that promotes inclusivity and sex conformity, I was curious to know what the aftereffects of gender reassignment were, since it seems as though that information is purposefully excluded. In my research, I began to understand why those details aren't offered. Although gender reassignment is promoted, the details of the horrifying consequences are not, and that's unfair to those who are seeking gender reassignment surgery.
I ran across a YouTube video titled “I Want My Sex Back, Documentary exposing Satanic Transgender Movement”. And in this documentary, there were a couple of transgender people- both male and female who discussed their journey and the repercussions of their decision to transition to the opposite sex. They detailed the uncomfortable truth of its aftermath that isn’t publicly shared. What stood out to me in this video was the fact that even after the reassignment surgery, they were still unhappy. There was a plethora of unanticipated situations they began to face, that were never considered prior to the surgery. Some of the unspoken truths included reoccurring infections, the inability to become erected, painful intercourse and the inability to have orgasms.
Those who had gender reassignment surgery spoke about becoming suicidal or having friends who committed suicide as a result of struggling with relentless pain or their identity after the procedure. Additionally, they became alcoholics or heavy substance abuse users because reality became increasingly overwhelmingly, mentally taxing, or they had no quality of life. Noting this, it makes you wonder why the psychological effects aren't discussed with the patient until the sexual reassignment has been performed.
In a study from the Williams Law Institute, 98% of trans people who have experienced violence or discrimination more than four times, have contemplated suicide, and of that 98%, 58% of them have attempted suicide.13% of transgender people who were denied equal treatment have contemplated suicide, and 6% of those who had not experienced that treatment have tried to commit suicide.11% of transgenders who were rejected by family members admit to experiencing suicidal thoughts; 5% of those who were not rejected, reported suicide attempts. 30% of respondents who have been physically attacked in public have contemplated suicide, while 7% of those people who have not been attacked, reported attempts of suicide.
Ten to fifteen years after surgical gender reassignment, the rate of suicide for those who had undergone sex-reassignment surgery rose to twenty times that of comparable peers. Members apart of the trans community are twice as likely to think about, and attempt suicide than those apart of the LGB community (Haas et al., 2011; McNeill et al., 2017; Irwin et al., 2014). It was noted that 2021 was the deadliest year for transgender people.
Dr. Paul McHugh, a service professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explains: “Male and female organisms have different parts that are functionally integrated for the sake of their whole, and for the sake of a larger whole—their sexual union and reproduction. So a person’s sex—male or female—is identified by its organization for sexually reproductive acts. Sex as a status—male or female—is a recognition of the organization of a body that can engage in sex as an act”.
Because this sort of fight doesn’t belong to everyone, it is ‘easy’ to disregard issues within the trans community. Those who have had the gender reassignment surgery suggested that what transgenders needed instead was psychotherapy, because having the surgery did not solve the problem, but instead added additional deficiencies. Mental well-being examinations should be a requirement for anyone considering sexual reassignment surgery.
Although people should do their research beforehand, we know that is not always the case. The American Board of Medical Specialties should mandate mental health literacy trainings for surgeons and require them to have detailed and documented conversations prior to performing this procedure. Anticipating patients should have to pass a mental health screening before deemed eligible for a life altering procedure. Mental health is vital at every step and should not be ignored.
Gender-affirming care is defined as therapies that help a person's outward features match their gender identity. Additionally, it is a medical requisite which is evidence-based care that uses a multidisciplinary approach to help people transition from their assigned gender. It’s the one the person was designated at birth to their pronounced gender, to the gender by which one wants to be known. Gender affirming care must be done prior to surgery, but why isn't mental affirming care? No matter what is changed externally, if the mind doesn't transition as well, the cosmetic change won't make a difference.
As previously stated, I have more than a few gay and lesbian friends that I love dearly, because I don’t see them for anything other than who they are. Their sexual preference is none of my concern, nor does it identify them as a person. Their integrity, loyalty, and genuine friendship does; that’s what I value. I don’t understand why society tries so hard to separate, compartmentalize and label people. It’s like they want us to constantly be at war with one another, but us being at war within ourselves is more than enough. We are all human, and people should be judged based on the content of their character rather than what they prefer in their bedroom.
If you or someone you know needs help, see below resources:
· The Trans Lifeline: (877) 330-6366
· National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
· Text WELLNESS to 741741
· Text 988 for the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Watch the video on YouTube:
I Want My Sex Back: Transgender people who regretted changing sex (RT Documentary) - YouTube
https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/resource/transgender-people-and-suicide-fact-sheet/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7317390/citedby/
https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/
https://www.heritage.org/gender/commentary/sex-reassignment-doesnt-work-here-the-evidence
https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/suicidality-transgender-adults/
https://www.suicideinfo.ca/local_resource/trans-fact-sheet/